Former NAACP President Just Endorsed Bernie Sanders

This is powerful for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s campaign—former NAACP President, Ben Jealous, has endorsed Sanders for president over Hillary Clinton.

This is powerful for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s campaign—former NAACP President, Ben Jealous, has endorsed Sanders for president over Hillary Clinton. Jealous was head of the NAACP from 2008 to 2013.

Sanders, while polling high in New Hampshire, faces an uphill battle after this state. Minority votes are crucial to winning primaries in states such as Nevada and South Carolina, and thus far, Sanders has been polling below Clinton in terms of minority votes, including those of African-Americans.

According to CNN, “Jealous…is set to appear with Sanders in New Hampshire ahead of the Feb. 9 primary to announce his support. [He is] credited with re-invigorating the [NAACP] and making it more politically relevant.”

Sanders was also recently endorsed by Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, one of the most well-known victims of police brutality. Sanders has attempted to show passionate support for the African-American community and Black Lives Matter movement, meeting with many influential leaders.

A few African-American legislators in South Carolina have already endorsed Sanders, including Rep. Justin Bamberg, who switched his endorsement from Clinton to Sanders.

Sanders is currently 30 overall points below Clinton in South Carolina, so Jealous’s endorsement may give him a much-needed boost.